Phil Smith provided player ratings for Sunderland’s 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. The hosts initially took the lead in the 61st minute through Marcus Forss, but Sunderland equalized with a late goal from Nazariy Rusyn. Here are the player ratings:
1. Anthony Patterson – 6: Made a decent stop early on and couldn’t do much about Forss’ finish.
2. Trai Hume – 7: Excellent game on his preferred flank, alert to danger, and made good challenges.
3. Dan Ballard – 6: Decent game despite issues with Greenwood, left the field with a shoulder concern.
4. Luke O’Nien – 6: Drove into good areas, made intelligent challenges, solid performance.
5. Leo Hjelde – 6: Solid debut, few errors in possession, defended well, looked to offer attacking outlet.
6. Dan Neil – 5: Didn’t have his usual impact but ended strongly, felt fouled in the build-up to Boro’s goal.
7. Pierre Ekwah – 5: Had promising moments in the first half, quiet as Boro dominated the second.
8. Abdoullah Ba – 5: Real outlet in the first half, crucial miss late in the first half, no impact in the second.
9. Jobe Bellingham – 5: Drove into dangerous areas but didn’t contribute much, struggled in midfield battle.
10. Jack Clarke – 7: Real threat in the first half, strong finish to the game, contributed to Rusyn’s goal.
11. Mason Burstow – 4: Found it difficult to impact the game, struggled to hold the ball, had little sight of goal.
12. Patrick Roberts (sub) – 5: Quiet return to action, but positive to see him back on the pitch.
13. Nazariy Rusyn (sub) – 8: Scored the late goal, brought energy and application, added a real threat.
14. Jenson Seelt (sub) – N/A: Brought on in the final seconds after an injury concern to Dan Ballard.